From Believers to Disciples
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
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“Study to show yourself approved by God …” 2 Timothy 2:15a KJV
Prayer Focus for Today
Pray for wisdom for the elders as they meet this Wednesday evening for visioning and planning for the mission and ministry of New Life!
Heavenly Father, my prayer focus for today is that You will fill our elders with the Holy Spirit, not only as they meet tonight for visioning and planning for the mission and ministry of New Life, but also that day by day that You will fill them with the Holy Spirit that their lives may be effective witnesses to us and the community of who You are and who You are calling us to be and become. I pray that You will encourage them in their work, and bless their families that You may be glorified and that Your Heavenly Kingdom will grow! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today: Matthew 10:24-32
[Jesus said,] 24“A student is not greater than the teacher. A servant is not greater than the master. 25The student shares the teacher’s fate. The servant shares the master’s fate. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, how much more will it happen to you, the members of the household! 26But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. 27What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ears, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
28“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
32“If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. 33But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven.
From Today’s Reading, a Believer …
In Matthew 10:28-31 we find that the only one to fear in life is God, because He has the power to take both our lives and our souls and place them in hell. What are the implications of this reality for daily living as believers—both the positive and negative implications?
Let’s Go Deeper in Our Walk with Jesus
After reading today’s Scripture, what do you see as one necessity for moving from believers to disciples?
From Today’s Reading, a Disciple of Jesus Will …
What actions will you take today to be bold in your witness of Jesus’ salvation in your life? Be specific, and list any ideas that come to mind below:
Ministry, Mission, Outreach, Service Opportunities to Consider
Have you considered serving on the Community Vacation Bible School Team this summer as a way of deepening your own discipleship in Jesus’ name? One of the realities of our lives as disciples of Jesus is that as we prepare to lead or teach others, we always up end becoming better leaders and teachers ourselves! Last year several dozen children made first time commitments to Jesus as a result of their participation in CVBS. Prayerfully, consider how you may be a part of it this year! Contact Children’s Nurture Facilitator Shelly Rinamin for more information!
My Journal
Note any thoughts from Through the Bible or the Daily Reading here:
Be Bold in Jesus!
Jesus makes it clear in today’s reading that we needn’t fear anyone or anything in this life! After all, the worst that anyone can do to us here and now is kill us, and while we may think that IS the worst thing that can happen to it, Jesus assures us that it isn’t. In fact, ALL of us will die one day, unless the Lord returns, so we must be prepared for that inevitability in our livers. What Jesus warns us to do is to be BOLD in our proclamation of Him to others, because there is only one worthy of our fear—that is God Himself, since God has the power not only to take our lives, but also our souls and place them in hell. That is NOT God’s desire. In fact, God doesn’t send us to hell—we do that, if we don’t trust His promises and let Jesus’ death on the cross provide for our salvation. So let’s live with boldness and thanksgiving the life in Jesus today!